1990 — Page 54

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MR. PETER C. K. CHAN, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-The question concerns the provision of permanent access from Tsui Wan Estate to the MTR through Chai Wan Park.

The present position is that a permanent access in the form of footpaths has been incorporated in the design of the Chai Wan Park linking the MTR with Tsui Wan Estate through the Chai Wan Park. No problem is envisaged as regards the construction of these footpaths. As the Chai Wan Park when completed will be open to the public 24 hours a day, these footpaths will be adequately illuminated to provide permanent access. In the meantime, a temporary access path linking Tsui Wan Estate with MTR through the Chai Wan Park has been provided while the Park is under construction. A temporary access will be maintained throughout the construction period.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-I only wish that all questions could be answered so satisfactorily.

6. MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question (in English):-The illegal hawker problem at the entrances to the temporary market in Chai Wan, the Yue Wan Market and the flyover leading to the Chai Wan Station of the MTR is as bad as ever. Could consideration be given to having 2 more GD teams stationed at Chai Wan in the relatively near future?

MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN, CHAIRMAN OF THE MARKETS AND STREET TRADERS SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-This question concerns the illegal hawker problem at the entrances to the Chai Wan Temporary Market and Yue Wan Market, and the flyover leading to the Chai Wan MTR Station and asks whether consideration can be given to having two more GDT squads stationed at Chai Wan in the relatively near future.

The locations mentioned are hawker black spots in Chai Wan at which regular enforcement actions are taken by the General Duties Teams. This is done both in the form of static patrols and raiding operations carried out repeatedly in both mornings and afternoons. In the month of September, 1990, 231 illegal hawkers were arrested with 95 seizures of commodities and equipment. Given the mobility and recurrent nature of the activities of unlicensed hawkers, it is difficult, if not impossible, to keep the area completely hawker free at all times. Therefore, although the Department will continuously strive for improvement, the general situation there is considered acceptable bearing in mind the resources available.

There are at present 11 GDT squads in Eastern District. They work on two shifts to protect 7 markets and 2 Cooked Food Centres and to take care of about 900 unlicensed hawkers and manage some 1 400 licensed hawkers. At least two of the squads operate in the Chai Wan area daily. The resources are being stretched to the limit and the redeployment of 2 more GDT squads to Chai Wan exclusively is not possible as it can only be done at the expense of other areas in the district such as Chun Yeung Street and Marble Road

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

where stringent control over illegal hawkers is also required. The Department, however, will continue to do whatever is feasible to keep the hawker situation in Chai Wan under control.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-—Mr. Chairman, I have two supplementaries. The first is under the second paragraph of the reply—‘Therefore, although the department will continuously strive for improvement, the general situation there is considered acceptable bearing in mind the resources available.' Acceptable to whom?

MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):-I said relatively acceptable, Mr. Chairman, bearing in mind the resources which are available. I gather that the hawker situation in Chai Wan is somewhat better than other hawker black spots in the Eastern district such as Chung Yeung Street and Marble Road. So if we take into consideration the relevant factors, I do appreciate that Mr. BERNACCHI having a particular interest in Chai Wan is more concerned about the situation there and we do sympathise with the representations which are made to him. In fact some time ago, I visited the area together with other members of the Markets & Street Traders Select Committee, so we have some appreciation of the size of the problem. But I would like to add that it is not considered cost-effective to create two additional GDT squads to protect the markets in Chai Wan. We do know that an essential purpose of market protection is to assist market viability. In the case of Chai Wan Temporary Market and Yue Wan Market, they do seem to be among the Council's more viable markets. So looking at the situation from a broader point of view, it would seem that if we put an additional GDT squad there, it would be at the expense of other areas where the need is greater.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):--I am sorry to press a long answer, two supplementaries have not in fact been answered. Acceptable to whom meaning acceptable to the Council or to the market stallholders or acceptable to both?

MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):—I think it is acceptable to all parties concerned bearing in mind the resources available because if there were additional GDT squads assigned there, it would mean that this would cause a very great strain on the departmental staff to service other areas. As Members are well aware it is very difficult to recruit staff, there would be additional expense, we know that the Urban Services Department has a total of 98 GDT squads with an establishment of 2 600 staff. You can have additional GDT squads, it is going to cost more money, but bearing in mind the resources available, we are doing the very best we can in Chai Wan. So from a broader point of view, I think the situation is acceptable.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI (in English):-I am sorry. Does the Chairman of the Markets and Street Traders Select Committee mean that it is acceptable to the market stallholders? If so, I make a difference, does it mean that or not?

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